Bite Me! by Melissa Francis

Title: Bite Me! (Book 1)
Author: Melissa Francis
Pages: 304
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 28, 2009

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?


AJ and Ryan used to be a hot couple, now, they're siblings. When their parents re-marry, they have to break it off with each other and try to act like a normal family...however normal a family with vampires can be at least. As AJ struggles with her new found 'relationship' with Ryan, her blood-lust, and a classmate that she did or did not bite accidentally, someone is out to get her...and her family. It's true what they say about how the past comes back to bite you...but this time, with fangs!

Bite Me! is a hilarious and interesting read, full of suspense and deceit. The premise of this book was appealing. The brother and sister relationship of AJ and Ryan was unconventional, therefore, making the reader more curious. AJ was a relatable protagonist even though she was a vampire. Her feelings and actions were accompanied by decisions that we, as teens, have had to make.

Bite Me!, on the outside, looks fun. But when you start flipping though the pages, you'll never stop. It's unique. It's intense. It's suspenseful. When AJ's mom marries Ryan's dad, it's like her whole world crumbles. She gets drunk and (nearly?) loses control with a guy. Now, that guy has become undead and is stalking her, apart from that, an unknown being is after her, waiting for the right time...to kill.

Although the book was interesting and suspenseful, it was a little bit too sexual. Every few pages, there would always be a sexual thought or action. It got a little disturbing after a while...especially with the teacher-student conflict in the novel. There was too many sexual references and lots of seduction. I guess it's to be expected of a vampire novel.

Another aspect of the book that I really disliked, was the ending. I'm a sucker for happy endings, and this didn't end the way I wanted it to (you'll just have to read and find out!). But to give Francis credit, the ending is perfect to give room for a sequel. A- :-)

The Bottom Line: Francis is one author to look out for! Bite Me! is a great vamp read that readers will be able to sink their teeth into!

---Report Card---
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 6/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8.5/10
Theme: 8/10
Imagery: 9.5/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 87/100 (A-)